review: moisturizers

I think one of the universal aspects of having a skin condition is you get used to using a bunch of different topical creams and lotions and ointments. At this point in my life, I am no stranger to the variety of products in the market (though new ones are always being developed) and I’ve formed my own opinions about what works or doesn’t work for my skin (though that also varies depending on what stage my skin is in at the moment).

A+D – First Aid Ointment: Generally, I use this much like I use Neosporin (mostly for cuts and scratches). This does have lanolin which can cause allergic reactions for people. I think this works fine if you don’t have allergies, though it’s too sticky to apply over the whole body. I think Neosporin generally works a bit better (maybe because it usually has a type of antibacterial in it?).

Aquaphor – Advanced Healing Therapy Ointment Skin Protectant: I’ve used this brand and the retail store-brand versions. This feels a bit like applying Neosporin to the skin, but more watery. Generally it didn’t feel bad on the skin, but was a bit sticky. Overall, it didn’t really help me enough to keep moisture in to warrant repurchasing it at the time, though I wouldn’t mind using it again if I had another bottle of it lying around.

Avène – Eau Thermale Avène Skin Recovery Cream: I actually haven’t tried this brand at all yet, but I have heard good things about it, and this cream I would love to try. Avène has a spring called Saint Odile in France that apparently has very lovely healing properties, and so spas and other treatments have developed there using the water, including hydrotherapy. There is also an Avene company in the USA, which I think also uses the water from France.

Burt’s Bees – Shea Butter Hand Repair: I’ve been using this along my whole body and generally love it. It is a little thick, but as you spread it, it melds well into the skin and is pretty effective as keeping some moisture in so long as I wear layers over the skin. Downsides is the amount isn’t made for someone using it along their whole body (and technically isn’t made for the whole body as it’s a hand cream!).

Cera Ve – Moisturizing Cream: I’ve used a variety of their products. While I have no complaints with them, they are generally a bit too pricey for me for the amount I need and don’t offer as good of benefits as other brands. When I did buy it, I usually went for the bulk size one to get the best price per quantity.

Cetaphil – Moisturizing Cream for Dry/Sensitive Skin: Generally feels like a watered down Cera Ve. I’m not a huge fan of them. Note: A friend recently told me that Cetaphil products contain almond oil- so for those with a nut allergy, this is not the lotion for you!

(NEW!)Chuckling Goat – Calm Down Kefir Lotion: I use these for the inflamed days as it seems to help dry out the excess heat and redness. It doesn’t help keep in moisture so I use it early in the day and then apply something stronger to keep in moisture later on. It goes on fairly gently.

(NEW!)Chuckling Goat – Soothing Kefir Lotion: This one smells nice but didn’t feel as good as the Calm Down version.

Coconut Oil (pure) – Vita Coca Organic Virgin Coconut Oil: I’ve heard great things about the benefits of coconut oil for keeping staph infections at bay and helping to reduce a lot of eczema symptoms. Personally I do like using coconut oil but it feels like it doesn’t absorb as well in to the skin, and it doesn’t really provide lasting moisturizing effects throughout the day so I have to use it with something else. It does seem to help with skin redness though.

Conquerer – Soothing Dry Skin Balm: This is Abby Lai’s brand (of Prime Physique Nutrition) and lately I am loving it. When my skin is cracking, this is one of the few products that can help calm the skin down, though it does take a while. My only complaints would be the size of the container (I’d love a larger tub of it), and that it is somewhat grainy and so it took a lot of rubbing in to get it to melt into the skin. The latter isn’t a deal breaker though- and I’m not sure if it was just my container from heat or cold transportation that caused it to become so granular.

Curél – Ultra Healing Lotion: I have used this product a few times but so intermittently that I can’t really accurate review it. It feels nicer on application than Cera Ve and Cetaphil.

Dove – Dermaseries Eczema Relief: This is Dove’s new line. I generally like it though it is more on the lighter scale. It’s a bit pricey and also doesn’t last as long if applied after a shower/bath as I would like.

(NEW!)Eczema Honey – Honey Natural Healing Cream: This one tends to provide a better barrier and seal in moisture, plus the honey works as a natural antibiotic. The downside is that it separates from the oil in the mixture pretty quickly so I have to stir it a bit before use. Also, as it is mostly honey, it’s sticky!

Eucerin – Advanced Repair Cream: This is one of the lighter types of their line. I liked it because the normal Eucerin was just too thick (and also didn’t absorb well into the skin if the skin was wet/damp). This version however, can tend to burn on application.

(NEW!) Exederm – Eczema Care Daily Lotion: I recently came across this in CVS and gave it a go because it was endorsed by NEA. I found that it really did help relief the intense dry/cracking I have been having, especially with my hands, but it doesn’t last long as a moisturizer (but to be fair, I got the daily lotion, not the daily moisturizer). All together I am using this product almost exclusively now and am pretty happy with it for the dry/cracking/wrinkly skin face (google TSW knee/hand/wrist wrinkles for an idea of what my skin looks like during this phase). The one down side is, this product tends to be hard to find and not in many stores yet (or at least not that I’ve seen).

(NEW!) Exederm – Intensive Daily Moisturizer: I’ve been using this product a lot (pretty much exclusively for a few weeks now). It isn’t too watery, and coats my skin nicely and does get absorbed well. I’ve noticed it can cause me a bit of itchiness if I apply it after a hot shower/bath (which I technically should be avoiding anyway).

L’Oréal – Paris Collagen Moisture Filler Day Night Cream: I grabbed this because I was looking for a creme to apply to my skin that contained collagen. This one is okay. It is quite fragrant which I’m not a fan of, and it tends to dry me out after application within a few minutes. Overall I don’t think I’d buy it again, though if I couldn’t find any other collagen-infused creams I might repurchase it.

(NEW!)MG 217 – Eczema Body Cream with 2% Colloidal Oatmeal: This is a newer one I’ve been trying. It has a smell that reminds me a bit of menthol and it feels a bit stickier when it goes on, but it generally doesn’t burn and it dries quickly. I like it because it feels like it coats the skin evenly, but it often is unable to help me stop my drying out when I’m in that aggressive phase of that stage. All things considered I will be getting it again.

Neosporin – Original First Aid Ointment: I generally only use this for cuts or deeper scratches, and then try to cover them with band-aids to keep in the moisture. Neosporin generally feels good on the skin (no burns or anything- and some types contain pain relievers), but is quite oily and I wouldn’t suggest it for use for the whole body. I do use it overnight a lot when my hands and feet are cracked

Reviva: Collagen Night Creme: I do enjoy this collagen cream, though it only comes in small quantities. It helped reduce a pretty red flare that was starting on my face in two days, which was a great relief. I usually saved it for my face and hands because it does come in so little amounts, but I think it helps overall.

Sunflower Oil (pure) – Spectrum Naturals Organic: Sunflower oil also has studies supporting its use for people with eczema (so long as you don’t develop an allergy to it). It is a bit of a hassle to apply as it is a pure oil, and it does dry pretty quickly, and overall I don’t dislike it. I don’t really use it anymore because I did develop an allergy to it over time.

Vanicream – Moisturizing Skin Cream for Sensitive Skin: I received samples of these to try from my phototherapy sessions. They didn’t burn during application which was nice, but they did feel a bit watery and didn’t real help retain moisture.

Vaseline – Pure Petroleum Jelly: I have mixed feelings about Vaseline (and in generally petroleum jelly). In general, I hate the feeling of being sticky and having to apply it is a nightmare. When I do use it, I use the pure thick stuff and it used to help keep moisture in my skin but more so when I was on antibiotics and oral steroids. When I’m not on those medications and/or when my skin is not flaring, I find Vaseline to be too much and it often makes me breakout in acne. When my skin is flaring too aggressively, Vaseline tends to trap heat better than it traps moisture. Lately I tried it when my skin was unbearably dry and nothing was working, and Vaseline didn’t help. It just made me feel sticky.

YORO Naturals – Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream: I am loving this product. It feels a little more sticky than the usual culprits (like Exederm), but it keeps my skin hydrated longer. It smells pretty good as well. My only complaint is that it comes in such small amounts.

I’ll add more products to this post as I use more (or remember which ones I’ve used in the past).